Ford Five Hundred (2007 year). Manual — part 35

The airbag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates airbag inflation.

The fact that the airbags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side airbags are designed
to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.

Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.

If the side airbag has
deployed, the airbag will

not function again. The side
airbag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and
serviced by an authorized
dealer. If the airbag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will
increase the risk of injury in a
collision.

Safety Canopy

姟 system (if equipped)

Do not place objects or
mount equipment on or

near the headliner at the siderail
that may come into contact with a
deploying Safety Canopy

娂. Failure

to follow these instructions may
increase the risk of personal injury
in the event of a collision.

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142

Do not lean your head on the door. The Safety Canopy

娂 could

injure you as it deploys from the headliner.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Safety Canopy

娂

system, its fuses, the A, B, or C pillar trim, or the headliner on a

vehicle containing a Safety Canopy

娂. See your authorized dealer.

All occupants of the vehicle including the driver should always
wear their safety belts even when an airbag SRS and Safety

Canopy

娂 system is provided.

To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place objects in the
deployment path of the inflatable Safety Canopy

娂.

How does the Safety Canopy

姟 system work?

The design and development of the
Safety Canopy

娂 system included

recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side airbags (including the Safety
Canopy

娂).

The Safety Canopy

娂 system

consists of the following:
• An inflatable nylon curtain with a

gas generator concealed behind
the headliner and above the doors
(one on each side of vehicle).

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143

• A headliner designed to flex open above the side doors to allow Safety

Canopy

娂 deployment.

• The same readiness airbag light, electronic control and diagnostic unit

as used for the front airbags.

• Two crash sensors mounted on the B pillar (one on each side of the

vehicle).

• Two crash sensors located at the C pillar behind the rear doors (one

on each side of the vehicle).

• Rollover sensor in the restraints control module (RCM).
The Safety Canopy

娂 system, in combination with safety belts, can help

reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact
collision or rollover event.

Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the second row seats. The Safety Canopy

娂 will not interfere with

children restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat
because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the
doors along the side window opening.

The Safety Canopy

娂 system is designed to activate when the vehicle

sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the side crash sensor to
close an electrical circuit that initiates Safety Canopy

娂 inflation or when

a certain likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.

The Safety Canopy

娂 is mounted to roof side-rail sheet metal, behind the

headliner, along the entire side of the vehicle. In certain lateral collisions
or rollover events, the Safety Canopy

娂 system will be activated,

regardless of which seats are occupied. The Safety Canopy

娂 is designed

to inflate between the side window area and occupants to further
enhance protection provided in side impact collisions and rollover events.

The fact that the Safety Canopy

娂 did not activate in a collision does not

mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the
forces were not of the type sufficient to cause activation. The Safety
Canopy

娂 is designed to inflate in certain side impact collisions or

rollover events, not in rear impact, frontal or near-frontal collisions,
unless the collision causes sufficient lateral deceleration or rollover
likelihood.

Several Safety Canopy

娂 system components get hot after

inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

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144

If the Safety Canopy

娂

system has deployed, the

Safety Canopy

娂 will not

function again unless replaced.
The Safety Canopy

娂 system

(including the A, B, and C
pillar trim) must be inspected
and serviced by an authorized
dealer. If the Safety Canopy

娂 is

not replaced, the unrepaired area
will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.

Determining if the system is operational

The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Airbag readiness
section in the Instrument Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the
airbag is not required.

Any difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
• The readiness airbag light (same light as for front airbag system) will

either flash or stay lit.

• The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is

turned on.

• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat

periodically until the problem and light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your an authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system
may not function properly in the event of a collision or rollover event.

Disposal of airbags and airbag equipped vehicles

For disposal of airbags or airbag equipped vehicles, see your authorized
dealer . Airbags MUST BE disposed of by qualified personnel.

SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN

See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety
restraints for children. Also see Airbag supplemental restraint system
(SRS) in this chapter for special instructions about using airbags.

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145